Outdoor Adventure
Close your laptop.
Turn off your cell phone.
Leave your car in the parking lot.
Whether being outdoors is your passion or just an occasional diversion, come explore the abundance of natural beauty in Virginia's Historic Triangle year-round.
- If you like to walk, consider a stroll down historic Duke of Gloucester Street. Start at the Wren Building at the College of William and Mary and enjoy a mile long walk through Colonial Williamsburg's Historic Area that will take you back to the 18th century -- -- past modern shops at Merchants Square -- alongside beautiful gardens -- where horse-drawn carriages are the only vehicles in your path. You end at the Capitol Building, where Patrick Henry, Thomas Jefferson and George Washington once debated.
- For a little more of a workout, you can use the Download the Great City Walks guide for suggestions. Download this collection of a variety of walks over various terrain -- that will take you through neighborhoods, trails, the College of William and Mary -- organized by location, distance and difficulty. [Download pdf]
- For more varied activity, explore the many Parks throughout Williamsburg, York County and James City County, where you can bicycle, hike, rent a paddle boat, skateboard, birdwatch, kayak, sail, fish -- or just sit under a shady tree watching eagles and herons fly overhead.
- Rent a paddle boat at Waller Mill Park.
- Take the Colonial Parkway from Jamestown to Yorktown by way of Williamsburg -- glorious at any time of year.
- If Golf is your game, don't forget to bring your clubs. With so many championship courses from which to choose, your only obstacle will be how long your family will let you spend on the fairway.
- Shop along Riverwalk Landing in Yorktown, relax on the waterfront beach, and then take a boat down the York River.
- Follow the path of John Smith by exploring his water routes along Captain John Smith Chesapeake National Historic Trail or a combination of water and auto routes along the Captain John Smith's Trail.
- Hike or bike along Greensprings Greenway Interpretive Trail and watch beavers build their dam as neighborhood otters frolic nearby.